I have a rheem 81VP2S Electric water heater it keeps tripping the circuit breaker. If I flip the breaker back on it will run for a bit then trip again. Or the breaker will trip If I I plug it in when it is unplugged what seems to be the problem here

http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-is-tripping-breaker.html

Gene
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http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-is-tripping-breaker.html

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Tank type electric water heater?
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Is the unit tripping the breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

Add a comment and say what you find.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Turn power off. Open covers and inspect for burned parts.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

Test elements. Marathon takes specific element, and does not use generic element from hardware store.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

10-23-12
Your tank has a GFCI circuit breaker?
Maybe you mean ECO reset button located on upper thermostat?

If GFCI circuit breaker is tripping, turn power off, open covers inspect for burned parts, and test elements. Copy following link for troubleshoot walk-thru:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

If ECO reset button is tripping, then replace both thermostats, and test elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

10-20-12
Circuit breaker is tripping on electric shower?

This could be absolute danger until more information is known.

1) Breakers trip because they sense heat, because the wire size is too small, or breaker size is mismatched with wire. Or breaker is loose on busbar.
Copy following links to determine correct wiring and breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-Tankless-electric-water-heater.html

GFCI circuit breaker will trip because of same heat condition described above, and also trip if ground fault is detected.
Water leaking into element will trip GFCI.
Absolutely you need to get this problem fixed before shower is put back into service.
Call electrician, or the installer, or the manufacturer, or all.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-GFCI.html#spa

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

It could be element shorted to ground through steel tank, so don't touch tank when breaker is ON.
Or you have undersized 12 gauge wire and 20 amp breaker and the heat has loosened breaker on the busbar. Breaker trips when heat exceeds breaker limit. Jiggle breaker and listen for crackling sound.

To restore hot water now:
Turn off circuit breaker, and open top cover then Push in reset button on top of heater to restore functionality. Put back insulation and factory cover.
To fix water heater: test and replace bad element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
If problems continue
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker
http://waterheatertimer.org/Troubleshoot-household-electricity.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Copy following link for troubleshoot walk-thru for electric water heater tripping breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You posted under Rheem 40 gallon electric water heater, which is two-element 240Volt heater.
If this is not your heater, add a comment.

If you suddenly have no hot water, that narrows the suspect list.

Step1:
Check for tripped circuit breaker.
Open top cover on water heater and push in reset button on upper thermostat.
If reset button is tripped out, and will not push back in, then replace upper thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
Put ear against tank and listen for bubbly-fizzing sound that says heater is ON.
If reset is not tripped, then move to step 2

Step 2: use tester or multi-meter and test across top two screws on upper thermostat for 240Volt.
If heater is not getting 240V, then test circuit breaker.
Move water heater wires from 240V breaker to another same-amp 240V breaker and see if that restores power.
You may need to replace breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html
If problem persists, then you might have a line problem between breaker and water heater.
Open cover on top of heater, and check connections on top of heater.

Step 3:
If heater is getting 240V, then upper thermostat or upper element is bad.
I suggest 30 minute troubleshooting which could save you a service call, and will be valuable information in the future:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on timer.

If I understand correctly, you have electric water heater.
Heater suddenly stopped heating.

Four things cause sudden loss of water heater.
1) Reset button located under the top cover is tripped > turn off power, remove cover, press reset button > if reset keeps tripping, go to the troubleshooting link shown below.
2) Electric power to heater is interrupted > check circuit breaker > test for voltage > look for loose wire on breaker
3) Upper element burned out > test and replace element
4) Upper thermostat bad > replace upper thermostat

Reset button is best suspect.
Here is a link for complete troubleshoot and homeowner repair of electric water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html